Chemical and Biochemical Characterization of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Genotypes

Abstract

The present investigation entitled, Characterization of safflower genotypes by chemical and biochemical analysis was carried out at (Seed Technology Research Unit (STRU) laboratory) Department of Agricultural Botany and Department of Biochemistry, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri for testing quality of sixteen safflower genotypes. There was significant difference in the seed coat colour development due to NaOH test. The cultivars were grouped into three colour reaction groups as light brown (SSF-1307, Bhima, SSF708, SSF-674, A-1, SSF-748, Phule kusuma), Brown (Nari-6, PBNS- 86, SSF-1371, PBNS-12, SSF- 733) and Dark brown (SSF-1240, Nari-57, SSF-658, PBNS-40) based on colour reaction to NaOH test. There was significant difference in total phenol content of different safflower genotypes. The highest phenol content was recorded in the genotype SSF- 748 (5.56 mg/g). All sixteen safflower genotypes under study showed no colour reaction (negative) for peroxidase test. The safflower genotypes showed significant difference to gibberellic acid test. The response of seedling of different safflower genotypes to GA3, genotypes were grouped into very low response over control (SSF-1240, SSF-658, SSF-1307, SSF-748), low response over control (SSF-1371, SSF-674, Nari-6), medium response over control (SSF-733, PBNS-40, A-1, SSF-708, Nari-57) and high response over control (Bhima, Phule kusuma, PBNS-86, PBNS-12). The NaOH test, Phenol content and Gibberellic acid test can be used for characterization of safflower genotypes under study.